Station placement design device, station placement design method, and program

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to prevent deterioration in accuracy of station placement design even when a radio wave shielding object is present in a design target area.　The present disclosure relates to a station placement design device that performs design pertaining to the installation of base stations for wireless communication, the station placement design device comprising: a reception power vector generation unit that generates reception power vectors at respective evaluation positions on the basis of reception power values received in the respective evaluation positions at the time of the design from the base stations at respective installation position candidates; a clustering unit that clusters the evaluation positions on the basis of the respective reception power vectors generated by the reception power vector generation unit; and a selection unit that selects installation positions of the base stations for respective clusters of the evaluation positions clustered by the clustering unit.

Description

Station placement design device, station placement design method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a design technique for installing a wireless communication base station.

[0002] Generally, in order to establish a coverage area for wireless communication such as cellular or wireless local area network (LAN), station placement design is performed to determine the installation positions of wireless communication base stations and the directions of antennas.

[0003] However, because there are limits to the range of radio waves from a base station and the number of communication terminals that a single wireless base station can accommodate, if the number of base stations installed is small, the area coverage and the capacity of communication terminals will be insufficient. On the other hand, if the number of base stations installed is excessive, the cost of the base station equipment itself, as well as the costs of installation and operation, will increase, resulting in inefficiency. Therefore, wireless station design that places a necessary and sufficient number of base stations in appropriate locations is important. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 proposes a station design method that clusters multiple communication terminals within a design area and calculates the installation positions (locations) p101, p102, and p103 of each base station for each cluster u101, u102, and u103 of communication terminals, as shown in Figure 9.

[0004] Takuto Arai, Daisuke Goto, Masashi Iwabuchi, Tatsuhiko Iwakuni, and Kazuki Maruta, "Proposal of an Adaptive Mobile AP System for Improving Offload Efficiency," IEICE Techniques, RCS2016-43, pp. 107-112, May 2016.

[0005] However, in the conventional technology described in Non-Patent Document 1, clustering is performed based on the physical distance between communication terminals or between a base station and a communication terminal, and therefore the radio wave propagation environment (obstruction, etc.) is not taken into consideration. For example, as shown in Figure 9, when the evaluation positions of communication terminals are distributed in an evaluation area separated by an obstruction d1 such as a wall, a group of communication terminals separated by the obstruction d1 may be classified into the same cluster u102. Even if an attempt is made to calculate the installation position of a base station for cluster u102, radio waves from the base station at installation position p102 are blocked by the obstruction d1 at evaluation positions e7, e8, and e9, resulting in a problem of reduced accuracy in station placement design.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of station placement design even if there is an object blocking radio waves within the design area.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides a station location design device that designs the installation of wireless communication base stations, the station location design device having a received power vector generation unit that generates a received power vector at each evaluation position based on received power values ​​received from base stations of each candidate installation position at each evaluation position during the design, a clustering unit that clusters each evaluation position based on each received power vector generated by the received power vector generation unit, and a selection unit that selects an installation position of the base station for each cluster of evaluation positions clustered by the clustering unit.

[0008] As described above, the present disclosure has the effect of preventing a decrease in accuracy of station placement design even if there is an object blocking radio waves within the design target area.

[0009] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an electrical hardware configuration diagram of a station placement design device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an electrical hardware configuration diagram of a communication terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of a station placement design device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of radio waves received from base stations of each installation position candidate at a predetermined evaluation position within a design target area. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing received power vectors at each evaluation position generated based on received power values ​​received at each evaluation position from base stations of each installation position candidate. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing clusters of each evaluation position within the design target area shown in FIG. 5 and installation positions of base stations within each evaluation position cluster. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a station placement design method executed by a station placement design device according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing problems when clusters of each evaluation position and installation positions of base stations within each evaluation position cluster are determined using a conventional method.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [System Configuration of the Embodiment] First, the overall configuration of a communication system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a communication system according to the embodiment.

[0012] 1, a communication system 10 according to an embodiment is constructed by a station placement design device 30 and a communication terminal 50. The communication terminal 50 is managed and used by a user. The user refers to the output result of the station placement design device 30 and determines what to do next.

[0013] The station placement design device 30 and the communication terminal 50 can communicate with each other via a communication network 100 such as the Internet. The communication network 100 may be connected wirelessly or by wire.

[0014] The station location design device 30 is configured with one or more computers. When the station location design device 30 is configured with multiple computers, it may be referred to as a "station location design device" or a "station location design system." The station location design device 30 is a device that designs the installation of wireless communication base stations.

[0015] The communication terminal 50 is a computer, and a notebook PC is shown as an example in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, a user operates the communication terminal 50. Note that the station placement design device 30 may perform processing independently without using the communication terminal 50.

[0016] [Hardware Configuration] <Hardware Configuration of Station Placement Design Device> Next, the electrical hardware configuration of the station placement design device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the electrical hardware configuration of the station placement design device.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2 , the station design device 30 is a computer that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301 as a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, an SSD (Solid State Drive) 304, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 305, a network I / F 306, a media I / F 309, and a bus line 310.

[0018] Of these, the CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the station design device 30. The ROM 302 stores programs such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader) used to drive the CPU 301. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301.

[0019] The SSD 304 reads or writes various data under the control of the CPU 301. Note that instead of the SSD 304, a hard disk drive (HDD) may be used.

[0020] The external device connection I / F 305 is an interface for connecting various external devices, such as a display, a speaker, a keyboard, a mouse, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and a printer.

[0021] The network I / F 306 is an interface for performing data communication via the communication network 100 .

[0022] The media I / F 309 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a recording medium 309m such as a flash memory, etc. The recording medium 309m includes a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark).

[0023] The bus line 310 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 301 shown in FIG.

[0024] <Hardware Configuration of Communication Terminal> Next, the electrical hardware configuration of the communication terminal 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the electrical hardware configuration of the communication terminal.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 50 is a computer and includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an SSD 504, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 505, a network I / F 506, a display 507, an input device 508, a media I / F 509, and a bus line 510.

[0026] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the communication terminal 50. The ROM 502 stores programs such as IPL used to drive the CPU 501. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501.

[0027] The SSD 504 reads or writes various data under the control of the CPU 501. Note that instead of the SSD 504, a hard disk drive (HDD) may be used.

[0028] The external device connection I / F 505 is an interface for connecting various external devices, such as a display, a speaker, a keyboard, a mouse, a USB memory, and a printer.

[0029] The network I / F 506 is an interface for performing data communication via the communication network 100 .

[0030] The display 507 is a type of display means such as a liquid crystal display or organic electroluminescence (EL) display that displays various images.

[0031] The input device 508 is a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., and is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. When the user uses a keyboard, the pointing device function may be turned off.

[0032] The media I / F 509 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a recording medium 509m such as a flash memory, etc. The recording medium 509m includes DVDs and Blu-ray Discs (registered trademarks).

[0033] The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG.

[0034] [Functional Configuration of the Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of a station placement design device according to the embodiment.

[0035] 4, the station design device 30 has an input unit 31, a candidate setting unit 32, a received power vector generation unit 33, a clustering unit 34, a selection unit 35, and an output unit 36. Each of these units has a function realized by an instruction from the CPU 301 in FIG. 2 based on a program.

[0036] <Input Unit> The input unit 31 inputs design environment information and design condition information from the communication terminal 50 .

[0037] The "design environment information" includes information indicating the size of the area for which the station placement is designed, the size and position of structures, whether or not there is obstruction, a 3D map of the area, and the like.

[0038] The "design condition information" includes information indicating the number of base stations that can be installed (inventory number, etc.), the positions (potential base station installation positions) and directions in which base stations can be installed within the station design area, and the evaluation positions for communication quality (radio signal strength) within the station design area.

[0039] The station placement design target area may be, for example, one floor of a building, a location section of an outdoor exhibition hall, etc. The design environment information and the design condition information may include information other than the above examples.

[0040] <Candidate Setting Unit> Based on the design environment information and design condition information acquired from the input unit 31, the candidate setting unit 32 sets a plurality of installation position candidates c1 to c28 at various locations on the ceiling, radio wave quality evaluation positions e1 to e18 at various locations on the floor, and a shielding object d1, etc., within the station placement design target area, as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0041] Here, the station placement design target area will be described using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram of radio waves received from base stations of each installation position candidate at a predetermined evaluation position within the design target area. Although Figure 5 describes an indoor area, an outdoor area may also be used. As shown in Figure 5, within the station placement design target area, a plurality of installation position candidates c1 to c28 are set at various locations on the ceiling, evaluation positions e1 to e18 for radio wave quality at various locations on the floor, and a shielding object d1, etc. are set.

[0042] The installation position candidates c1 to c28 are collectively referred to as "installation position candidate c." The evaluation positions e1 to e18 are collectively referred to as "evaluation position e." The numbers of installation position candidates c, evaluation positions e, and shielding objects d1 shown in FIG. 5 are merely examples, and are not limited to the numbers shown in FIG. 5.

[0043] The station location design device 30 selects one or more optimal installation position candidates c for the 5G base station from the multiple installation position candidates c. Alternatively, the station location design device 30 may select one or more optimal installation position candidates c for the base station from the multiple installation position candidates c.

[0044] <Received Power Vector Generator> The received power vector generator 33 generates a received power vector at each evaluation position e based on the received power value received at each evaluation position e from the base station of each installation position candidate c.

[0045] In this case, the received power vector generation unit 33 estimates the received power value (radio wave intensity value) by performing radio wave propagation estimation (simulation) such as ray tracing using a 3D model. Specifically, the received power vector generation unit 33 estimates the received power value at each evaluation position e by performing radio wave propagation estimation for each evaluation position e where radio waves can be received from a base station installed in a predetermined installation direction at a predetermined installation position candidate c, based on the design environment information and the design condition information.

[0046] Fig. 5 shows a case where the reception power vector generation unit 33 generates a reception power vector at the evaluation position e1 based on the reception power values ​​received at the evaluation position e1 from the base station of each installation position candidate c. The reception power vector generation unit 33 also generates reception power vectors for all evaluation positions e other than the evaluation position e1, thereby generating reception power vectors at each evaluation position e as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the reception power vectors at each evaluation position generated based on the reception power values ​​received at each evaluation position from the base station of each installation position candidate.

[0047] The received power vector generator 33 may generate the received power vector using stepwise discretized values ​​instead of the received power values ​​as they are. Also, even for the same base station installation position candidate, if there are installation position candidates that take into account multiple installation directions depending on the antenna direction of the base station (if the base station has multiple antenna direction candidates), the received power vector generator 33 may calculate the maximum value from the received power values ​​corresponding to each antenna direction from the base station at each evaluation position e, and generate the received power vector at each evaluation position e based on this maximum received power value.

[0048] <Clustering Unit> The clustering unit 34 clusters each evaluation position e in accordance with the predetermined number of installed base stations, based on each reception power vector generated by the reception power vector generation unit 33. Existing clustering methods, such as the k-means method used in conventional technology, can be applied to the clustering process for the reception power vectors.

[0049] 4, the selection unit 35 selects an installation position of the base station for each cluster (set) of evaluation positions clustered by the clustering unit 34. For example, the selection unit 35 selects, as the installation position, an installation position candidate (among all installation position candidates) for which the rate (coverage rate) of satisfying the target received power value at each evaluation position is the highest within each cluster. Alternatively, the selection unit 35 selects, as the installation position, an installation position candidate for which the minimum received power value at each evaluation position is the highest within each cluster.

[0050] In the above example, the station design device 30 divides each evaluation position in the design target area into clusters equal in number to the number of installed base stations, and then selects only one location for installing a base station for each cluster. However, this is not limiting. For example, the clustering unit 34 may set the number of cluster divisions to less than the number of installed base stations, and then the selection unit 35 may select locations for two or more (plural) base stations for each cluster.

[0051] The output unit 36 ​​outputs the final design result. Examples of the output include displaying the result on a display connected to the station placement design device 30, printing the result on a printer connected to the station placement design device 30, or transmitting the result to the communication terminal 50 via the communication network 100.

[0052] [Processing or Operation of the Embodiment] Next, processing or operation of the station placement design device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a station placement design method executed by the station placement design device according to the embodiment.

[0053] S11: The input unit 31 inputs design environment information and design condition information from the communication terminal 50 or the like.

[0054] S12: The candidate setting unit 32 sets a plurality of installation position candidates etc. based on the design environment information and the design condition information.

[0055] S13: The reception power vector generating unit 33 generates a reception power vector at each evaluation position based on the reception power value received at each evaluation position from the base station of each installation position candidate.

[0056] S14: The clustering unit 34 clusters each evaluation position based on each received power vector in accordance with the predetermined number of installed base stations.

[0057] S15: The selection unit 35 selects the installation location of the base station for each cluster of the evaluation locations.

[0058] S16: The output unit 36 ​​outputs the setting result.

[0059] [Major Effects of the Embodiment] As described above, the present embodiment has the effect of preventing a decrease in the accuracy of station placement design even if there is an object blocking radio waves within the design area.

[0060] [Supplementary Note] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may have the following configurations or processes (operations).

[0061] (1) The station placement design device 30 can be realized by a computer and a program, but this program can also be recorded on a (non-transitory) recording medium or provided via the communication network 100.

[0062] (2) In the above embodiment, a notebook computer is shown as an example of a communication terminal 50, but this is not limited to this and may be, for example, a desktop computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a smartwatch, a car navigation device, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, etc.

[0063] (3) Each of the CPUs 301 and 501 serving as a processor may be a single processor or may be a multiple processor.

[0064] (4) In the above embodiments, the candidate setting unit 32 estimates the received power at each evaluation position e by radio wave propagation estimation (simulation) such as ray tracing using a 3D model, but this is not limited to this. For example, the candidate setting unit 32 may actually measure or predict the received power (radio wave intensity) based on actual measurement data at each evaluation position (part of the evaluation position).

[0065] 10 Communication system 30 Station placement design device 31 Input unit 32 Candidate setting unit 33 Received power vector generation unit 34 Clustering unit 35 Selection unit 36 ​​Output unit

Claims

1. A station placement design device for designing the installation of a base station for wireless communication, comprising: a received power vector generation unit that generates a received power vector at each evaluation position based on received power values received from base stations at each installation position candidate at each evaluation position during the design; a clustering unit that clusters each evaluation position based on each received power vector generated by the received power vector generation unit; and a selection unit that selects an installation position of the base station for each cluster of evaluation positions clustered by the clustering unit.

2. For a base station at the same installation position candidate, when there are installation position candidates considering a plurality of installation directions depending on the direction of the antenna of the base station, the received power vector generation unit generates a received power vector at each evaluation position based on the received power value in the installation direction where the received power value is maximized at each evaluation position. The station placement design device according to claim 1.

3. A station placement design method executed by a station placement design device for designing the installation of a base station for wireless communication, wherein the station placement design device performs: a received power vector generation process of generating a received power vector at each evaluation position based on received power values received from base stations at each installation position candidate at each evaluation position during the design; a clustering process of clustering each evaluation position based on each received power vector generated by the received power vector generation process; and a selection process of selecting an installation position of the base station for each cluster of evaluation positions clustered by the clustering process.

4. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 3.

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